Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our Privacy Policy for details.
5 Movie and Anime Locations in Japan you can actually visit
You might be thinking of visiting Japan for its city life or temples, but considering famous movie or anime locations can be a great way to plan your Japan itinerary.
After journeying across Japan for 24 days as a beginner anime fan and a big-time movie enthusiast, here we bring you five incredible movie and anime locations in Japan that you can actually visit.
Besides these, Japan’s got a bunch of Ghibli movie spots worth checking out. Ponyo’s village took a cue from Tomonoura in Hiroshima prefecture, by the Seto Inland Sea – a spot we missed and totally regret skipping.
The train crossing in Kamakura, by the sea, was the vibe for some scenes in the Slam Dunk TV anime. And places like Suzume in Kyushu, Ehime, Kobe, Tokyo, and Tohoku have also made their mark in anime and movies.
So, if you’re planning a Japan trip centered on anime or movie spots, best do some solid research ahead of time.
1. Wolverine 2013
Is there anyone who doesn’t like Hugh Jackman? If yes, it’s time they had a talk with me. Well, I am a fan of “Real Steel” more than Wolverine. But nothing could reduce my excitement about visiting the Wolverine filming location in Japan.
Wolverine movie filming locations in Tokyo
In “The Wolverine” flick from 2013, they throw Yashida’s funeral at Zojoji Temple in Shiba Park.
While Logan (Hugh Jackman) and Mariko (TAO) are doing their thing on the big staircase outside the main hall, things get wild, leading to a pretty intense escape scene. The action scene is so quick that it is impossible to capture a perfect frame that shows Zojoji temple.
Don’t forget to check out the “Garden of Unborn Children” beside the main temple when you visit it. Probably that garden is the cutest in Japan. – Japanese know how to make everything cute!
2. Memoirs of a Geisha
I’ve always been curious about the Geishas in Japan. Post trip I ended up watching the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha,” released in 2005 , starring the Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. Much of the movie was filmed in and around my favourite city of Japan, Kyoto.
Memoirs of Geisha movie filming locations in Kyoto
There are many locations including the Kiyomizu temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto where the movie was filmed. Our favourite remains, the shrine known for 10000 tori gates – Fushimi Inari.
It pops up a during a crucial flashback at the climax of the movie. It’s a stunning moment where young Chiyo finds hope after meeting The Chairman.
She dashes through the captivating red torii gates, heading to make a prayer offering. The Chairman treats Chiyo later to ice-shavings and offers her money.
3. Death Note
Anime enthusiasts can embark on a pilgrimage, exploring various anime locations across Japan. Being relatively new to the anime world, we decided to dive into the renowned “Death Note” series after my students recommended it.
Exploring the locations where “Death Note” was filmed motivated our week-long stay in Tokyo – Because, we it’s story is as mysterious as stories of Egyptian Pyramids.
Death Note Anime Locations which you can actually visit in Tokyo
After a chat with Naomi, Light discovers that she was the fiancee of the deceased Raye Penber. The actual spot is at Hibiya Park from Death Note, where Light and Naomi, an FBI agent working on the Kira case, take a stroll together
In the anime, the Imperial Hotel serves as the backdrop for the initial meeting between Light’s dad and the members of the Kira Task Force.
Impressively, the anime faithfully replicates the hotel’s real-life appearance.This location is opposite the Imperial Hotel, another authentic Death Note filming location you can visit in Tokyo.
In the anime, the Imperial Hotel serves as the backdrop for the initial meeting between Light’s dad and the members of the Kira Task Force. Impressively, the anime faithfully replicates the hotel’s real-life appearance.
4. Spirited Away locations
Our dreams of traveling to Japan took birth when I watched Spirited Away, the first anime ever to win an Oscar. Since then, we both hooked on anime, particularly Ghibli movies.
Which are the spirited Away Locations in Japan that you can actually visit?
Dogo Onsen in Ehime inspired Yubaba’s house and onsen. JR Shimonada Station in Ehime closely resembles the floating railway station where Sen and Kaonashi board the yellow train on blue ocean.
Another, less popular location with a resemblance to Yubaba’s bathhouse is in Nagoya.
Spirited Away Castle in Nagoya
Kiyosu Castle in Aichi Prefecture is a 30-minute train ride away.
Its appearance, with a roof projecting over black and white walls, a sharp roof at the top, and a saffron-colored bridge creating an approach, feels like Yubaba’s bathhouse.
Although Hayao Miyazaki never confirmed inspiration from Kiyosu Castle, Ghibli fans like us see it as a “Spirited Heaven” location.
Kiyosu is just 8km and 20 min train ride from the city which is referred to as “most boring city in Japan – Nagoya”, which really isn’t true.
So spending a day or two in Nagoya and making a day trip to Kiyosu to see the castle, along with Kirin beer factory tour is a good plan to see Japan beyond typical tourist spots.
Even if you aren’t hunting down Ghibli locations, visiting Kiyosu Castle is worthwhile.
5. Tale of Princess Kaguya
Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, directed the movie “Tale of Princess Kaguya” in 2013. It’s one of the best Ghibli movies that depicts how being an “over-pampered” princess can be challenging.
The story revolves around a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny, radiant princess inside a bamboo stalk and raises her.
Kaguya’s rural house near Fuji
The bamboo cutter initially lives in his thatched-roof house in rural Japan before moving to a palace in the city.
At Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba in the Fuji Five Lake areas, you can find traditional thatched-roof houses, known as “kayabuki” houses, similar to Kaguya’s childhood rural home.
Although Isao Takahata never specified any inspiration, experiencing the Kayabuki houses at Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba truly feels like being at Kaguya’s house.
Additionally, Saiko Iyashi no Sato Nenba, with its uninterrupted view of mighty Mount Fuji, evokes the memory of the emperor who burned his letter written to Kaguya at Fuji Hilltop after she left for the God’s world.
Princess Kaguya’s palace in Miyajima
As Kaguya-hime grows up, suitors from all over try to marry her, and she sets them difficult challenges, secretly hoping they fail to avoid marriage. All this unfolds in her city palace away from her rural abode.
While narratives suggest that Nara inspired the location of Kaguya’s palace, the striking resemblance of Miyajima Itsukushima Jinja shrine to Kaguya’s palace is uncanny.
Apart from these there are several Ghibli movie locations you can explore in Japan.
Ponyo’s village, inspired by Tomonoura facing the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima prefecture, is a place we deeply regret missing.
Kamakura train crossing by the sea has inspired Slam Dunk TV anime. Suzume Kyushu, Ehime, Kobe, Tokyo and Tohoku. Hence research well in advance if you want to travel in Japan based on Anime or movie filming locations.
Which of these movie or anime locations in Japan would you like to visit? Let us know in the comment section below.
